Their letters recount a dog that was friendly, loving and in one testimonial, changed a negative opinion the author previously had about pit bulls as a breed.

Landrum leafs through the carefully organized book and pauses as she looks at a three-page police report detailing the manner in which her 5-year-old pit bull was shot and killed.

Her eyes fill with tears as she closes the book.

"This didn't have to happen," the 52-year-old Landrum said. "Boo didn't deserve to die like this."

Support for Boo

The Thanksgiving day incident in White Pigeon Township feels like yesterday to Landrum. She still has the dog's collar and tags, and dozens of photos of Boo.

Three months after Boo's death, Landrum still struggles to finish her sentences when she discusses her beloved pet.

But it may provide Landrum some comfort knowing a group of advocates affiliated with a local spay-and-neuter organization is doing its best to make sure Boo's death was not in vain.

Tom Molter and LeeAnn Farmer, both ranking members with ARF, said the situation with Boo has not gone unnoticed. In fact, Molter said, ARF has adopted the motto "Justice for Boo" as a rallying cry to bring attention to the case.

Charges of animal cruelty against the suspect, a White Pigeon Township man, were not pursued by then-assistant prosecutor Natasha Pattanshetti.

But Landrum and ARF officials celebrated a decision this week by prosecutor John McDonough, who reviewed the case and filed a charge of killing an animal without just cause.

An attempt to reach Barnhart was unsuccessful, as he has an unlisted phone number.

Unforgettable

For Landrum, there is comfort that justice may, in fact, be served. But nothing will bring back her dog.

What was a typical Thanksgiving day for Landrum eventually turned into a day she'll never forget. Landrum said she had her son, Brandon, his friend and others over for dinner. After they ate, Brandon, his friend and Boo decided to go to the friend's house.

It wasn't unusual or Boo to join Brandon, as they had visited the friend's house many times.

Landrum said Boo and the friend's dog were let outside to go to the bathroom.

Brandon, 28, said he noticed a pickup truck drive by, then watched it turn around and return to the house next door. Within minutes, they heard a gunshot and saw Boo crippled, struggling to return to the home before he collapsed and died.

Page 2 of 2 - "If Brandon and Mike hadn't done something, I think he would have shot Mike's dog, too," Landrum said. "(Barnhart allegedly) told Brandon and Mike he and his brother were going to go hunting and the dogs were chasing deer off his property."

She said the police report states Boo was not threatening Barnhart and, based on where the bullet from a 20-gauge shotgun entered and exited his body, the dog was shot from behind.

Landrum's loss is clear, as she chokes up at the thought of her pet's final moments.

The report by a deputy from the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department provides further detail about the incident.

Molter and Framer said ARF is planning to bring more attention to animal abuse and the people who commit crimes against animals. The agency already has a tip line and standing reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of someone who abuses an animal.

"State and local statutes provide for criminal prosecution and associated penalties against animal cruelty cases," said Farmer, ARF president. "I am so impressed at Kim's gentle determination to share Boo's story despite the obvious level of pain it causes her each time she shares it … we all believe that what happened to Boo was tragically wrong and he did not deserve any of it."

Sending a message

Molter said the potential decision that awaits Barnhart needs to send a message to all animal abusers in St. Joseph County.

"The citizens need to demand that the elected and hired law enforcement agencies take animal welfare cases seriously," Molter said. "(There is a) guy that shot his dog in the head in Burr Oak and he's walking free."

ARF was founded in 1998 and has spayed or neutered more than 5,300 dogs. In addition to its primary role of spaying and neutering, it also takes an active role in animal rights.